Banglalink

Sheba Telecom (Pvt.) Ltd. was granted license in 1989, to operate in the rural areas of 199 upazilas. The company started providing GSM service in 1998.

In July 2004, an Egypt-based company, Orascom Telecom (currently Global Telecom Holding), purchased Sheba Telecom and formed Banglalink brand, as Sheba Telecom failed to tap the business potentials in Bangladesh mainly due to a chronic feud between its Malaysian and Bangladeshi partners. The purchasing value was US$60 million, of which US$50 million for share value and US$10 million was for financial debt.

Integrated Services Ltd. (ISL), the Bangladeshi partner, was being 'officially' shown as purchasing the shares held by Technology Resources Industries (TRI) of Malaysia for $15 million. ISL then paid another $10 million to Standard Chartered Bank to settle Sheba's liabilities.

In September 2004, Orascom Telecom Holdings (currently Global Telecom Holding) purchased 100% of the shares of Sheba Telecom (Pvt.) Limited. It was acquired for US$60 million. Sheba had a base of 59,000 users, of whom 49,000 were regular when it was sold. Afterward it was re-branded and launched its services under the "Banglalink" brand on 10 February 2005.

In March 2008, Sheba Telecom (Pvt.) Limited changed its name to Orascom Telecom Bangladesh Limited, matching its parent company name.

In July 2013, following the 2011 ownership restructuring in the parent company, the company name changed for the second time to Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd.

In 2018, Netherlands based Veon Ltd (previously known as Vimpelcom) acquired Banglalink as wholly owned subsidiary.

In 2024 Banglalink sold out its tower assets to Summit Towers Ltd.

Network

Banglalink is the third-largest mobile operator of the country. As of February 2023, Banglalink had a total number of 14,500 base transceiver station (BTS) across the country.

National roaming coverage

Under national roaming, Banglalink users can use Teletalk network if Banglalink's network is weak or has no signal. This feature is now in trial mode.

Banglalink uses 20,600 Mobile Network Towers to serve customers under national roaming network of Banglalink & Teletalk.

International roaming coverage

Banglalink has international roaming facilities.

Criticisms and penalty

In October 2007, BTRC fined Banglalink BDT 1.25 billion for its involvement in illegal VoIP or call termination business. The then BTRC chairman, Major General (Retd.) Manzurul Alam, confirmed Banglalink's involvement in the illegal trade. In a statement issued by Banglalink, the company agreed to make a one-time fixed payment of Tk 1.25 billion to the government as compensation for its loss of revenue.